Packaging and applicator device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device comprising:
         a container containing a composition for application;   an applicator, or in the absence of an applicator a composition dispenser member;   a preparation, finishing, and/or massage tool secured to the container or the applicator at least while the tool is not in use, the device being arranged in such a manner that use of the tool is dissociated with application of the composition with the applicator; and   a vibration source configured to be secured to the tool while the composition dispenser or applicator is in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices thatinclude respective vibration sources.

Additional aspects and other features of the present invention will beset forth in part in the description that follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from the practice of thepresent invention. The advantages of the present invention may berealized and obtained as particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. As will be realized, the present invention is capable of otherand different embodiments, and its several details are capable ofmodifications in various obvious respects, all without departing fromthe present invention. The description is to be regarded as illustrativein nature, and not as restrictive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

International application WO 2006/090343 and US patent application No.2006/0032512 disclose examples of such devices.

US application No. 2003/0120185 discloses a vibrator device for applyinga composition while simultaneously performing a massaging or othersimilar action.

There exists a need to further improve packaging and applicator devicesincluding a vibration source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention achieves this by means of a packaging and applicatordevice comprising:

-   -   a container containing a composition for application;    -   an applicator, or in the absence of an applicator a dispenser        member;    -   a preparation, finishing, and/or massage tool secured to the        container or the applicator at least while the tool is not in        use, and    -   a vibration source configured to be secured to the tool while        the composition dispenser or applicator is in use.

The invention provides novel possibilities in applying a makeup, a careand/or a cosmetic product.

Because the vibration source is secured to the tool while in use, theinvention also makes it possible to have a vibration source that isrelatively close to the tool while in use, thereby enabling the tool tobenefit effectively from the vibration of the vibration source.

The vibration source may be fastened releasably to the applicator or tothe container, and it may include first fastener means arranged toco-operate with second fastener means of the container or of theapplicator.

By way of example, the vibration source is arranged to be fastened tothe applicator or the container by friction, snap-fastening,screw-fastening, or interfitting shapes among other suitable systems.

In some embodiments, the vibration source may be secured to theapplicator or to the container and not be separable therefrom.

The above tool is not immersed in the composition in the container whenthe tool is secured to the container.

Use of the tool is dissociated from application of the composition withthe applicator.

The vibration source may generate vibration, in particular sinusoidalvibration, e.g. at a frequency, for example, lying in the range 1 hertz(Hz) to 500 Hz, 10 Hz to 300 Hz, or 50 Hz to 200 Hz.

The vibration source may include a vibration generator, e.g. a motor inthe form of a disk, for driving an eccentric flyweight in rotation. Thevibration generator may be of some other kind, e.g. piezoelectric,electromechanical, or with an eccentric flyweight. The vibrationgenerator may also include a motor rotating a gearwheel in contact witha rubbing strip that includes an elastically deformable blade amongothers.

The vibration source may include a source of power, e.g. a 1.5 volt (V)battery. By way of example, the motor may be arranged so that when it isconnected to a power source (e.g. 1.5 V battery), it rotates at a speedlying in the range 5000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 12,000 rpm.

The applicator may include a handle member defining a housing forreceiving the vibration source.

The vibration source may be incorporated in a member for closing thecontainer or for protecting the dispenser member.

The vibration source may comprise a casing housing an electric motor, anelectric switch for switching the electric motor on, and at least oneoptionally rechargeable battery.

The vibration may be oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the tool. In some embodiments, the vibration may be orientedsubstantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tool.

The tool may be selected from brushes or combs for making up theeyelashes and/or the eyebrows, paintbrush-type brushes, or flockedendpieces, amongst other possibilities.

The tool may also be adapted to massage the scalp and may include curvedflexible fingers provided with enlarged heads at their ends.

The tool may be arranged to be releasably fastened to the vibrationsource.

The vibration source may include a ring for fastening it to one of thecontainer and the applicator, said ring being arranged, for example, tobe suitable also for fitting on a finger.

The vibration source may be of variable orientation relative to theapplicator, where appropriate.

The invention also provides a method of cosmetically treating keratinousmaterial, the method comprising the steps:

-   -   applying a composition by means of the applicator device as        defined above; and    -   before and/or after application, performing a preparation,        finishing, or massaging operation on the treated region with the        help of the tool of the device as defined above, the tool being        caused to vibrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detaileddescription of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a packagingand applicator device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic longitudinal section of theexemplary device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are diagrammatic elevation views of packaging andapplicator devices made in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are longitudinal sections showing other exemplaryembodiments of devices of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cutaway elevation view of another embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows the use of the vibration source of the device shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 12 shows an example of the tool being fastened on the vibrationsource consistent with some embodiments; and

FIG. 13 shows an example of a kit comprising a vibration source andvarious finishing tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises acontainer 2 containing a composition P e.g., a mascara composition forapplication on human keratinous material, and an applicator 3 comprisingan applicator member 10 secured to a stem 11 that is connected to ahandle member 12.

In the example shown, handle member 12 also constitutes a member forclosing container 2, e.g., arranged to be screwed onto a neck 14 ofcontainer 2.

Container 2 may be provided with a wiper member 16 that is fastened orotherwise located in neck 14 for the purpose of wiping applicator 3while it is being withdrawn from container 2.

In the example under consideration, handle member 12 defines a housing20 for receiving a vibration source 21 that carries a tool 25, e.g. afinishing tool for adjusting makeup that has been applied by means ofapplicator 3.

Vibration source 21 includes a switch 26 that may be actuated through awindow 28 in handle member 12 in the example under consideration.

Vibration source 21 houses a vibration generator 30, e.g., a motor inthe form of a disk driving an eccentric flyweight in rotation. By way ofexample, the motor may be mounted on a support of an elasticallydeformable material, in particular of elastomer, that is capable ofabsorbing vibration harmonics associated with the motor.

Vibration source 31 may also house power source, e.g., one or moreoptionally rechargeable batteries, for powering vibration generator 30when switch 26 is actuated. Switch 26 may provide contact that ispermanent transient.

By way of example, tool 25 is connected to a casing 36 of vibrationsource 21 by a rod 37, and/or any other suitable means.

Tool 25 may be selected from for example, brushes, combs, and flockedendpieces, e.g. having bristles, teeth, asperities, or portions inrelief, for combing, separating, exfoliating, spreading, or blending,for example.

Vibration source 21 transmits vibration to tool 25, which vibrationcomes from vibration generator 30, e.g., vibration at a frequency lyingin the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz, e.g., in the range 10 Hz to 300 Hz, or 50Hz to 200 Hz. The vibration may be sinusoidal.

The vibration may be oriented transversely relative to the longitudinalaxis X of applicator device 1 or parallel to said longitudinal axis,depending on the orientation of generator 30 within casing 36.

A protective cap 40 may cover tool 25 while it is not in use, cap 40being arranged to screw onto handle member 12, for example.

Applicator device 1 may be used as follows.

The user may apply a composition (e.g., makeup), e.g., to the eyelashesor the eyebrows, by using the applicator member 10 so as to apply thecomposition P.

Once composition P has been applied, the user may close container 2 andremove cap 40.

Thereafter, the user may extract vibration source 21 from housing 20 anduse it as a handle member for adjusting the composition with tool 25that is in contact with the treated region, and that is optionally setinto vibration. Where appropriate, the user may also use vibrationsource 21 while it is in place in housing 20.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, applicator 3 includes anapplicator member that is permanently fastened to the container 2 andthat defines an application surface 100.

By way of example, the applicator member is a block of foam that may beflocked, or it is a flocked sheet secured to the neck 14 of thecontainer.

In this example, it is container 2 itself that acts as a handle memberfor applying the composition contained inside it by means of theapplication surface 100.

Examples of containers similar to that shown in FIG. 3 are disclosed inthe following publications to Gueret: US 2006/0083577 (filed Oct. 20,2005); FR 2 800 041 (filed Oct. 22, 1999); US 2003/0129016 (filed Nov.19, 2002); US 2003/0075200 (filed Sep. 3, 2002); and FR 2 860 496 (filedOct. 2, 2003), which are incorporated herein by reference.

Applicator device 1 in FIG. 3 also includes a closure member 110 forclosing container 2, closure member 110 may be fastened to neck 14,houses vibration source 21 vibration source 21 may be actuated by meansof a switch 26, and carries tool 25. By way of example, tool 25 is aflocked sheet or a foam.

A cap may optionally serve to protect the tool 25 when not in use.

The device of FIG. 3 may be used to apply the composition contained incontainer 2 while closure member 110 is removed, with application beingperformed by means of application surface 100.

Thereafter, closure member 110 is put back into place and the user maymake use of container 2 as a handle member for finishing the makeup withtool 25, while acting on switch 26 to subject tool 25 optionally tovibration, depending on what the user desires.

In another embodiment, the closure member 110 is not put into place oncontainer 2 and the user may make use of closure member 110 as a handlemember for finishing off the makeup, among other things.

In embodiment of FIG. 4, applicator 3 may be a foam, for example, andtool 25 may be a massage device, e.g., including massaging portions inrelief 126, for example, spines.

Where appropriate, a protective cap 140 may cover tool 25 when not inuse.

In the example of FIG. 4, the composition contained in the container 2may be applied, after which the user may massage the region on which thecomposition has been applied by using vibration source 21, closuremember 110 optionally being in place on container 2.

In another embodiment, the user may begin by massaging the region fortreatment (e.g., a scalp), closure member 110 optionally being in placeon container 2, and then the composition is applied to thepreviously-massaged region shown for treatment.

In the variant of FIG. 5, the container 2 is fitted with a dispensermember 200, e.g., in the form of an endpiece, container 2, for example,being in the form of a tube. Vibration source 21 may be secured to aclosure member 110 of container 2.

In FIG. 6, vibration source 21 carries a tool 25 having massage portionsin relief, e.g., for massaging the scalp, e.g., in the form of flexiblecurved fingers provided at their ends with round heads 160. By way ofexample, the composition is dispensed from the end opposite fromvibration source 21 by a capsule 170 having a dispenser orifice that canbe closed when not in use by a lid 171 hinged to capsule 170. Vibrationsource 21 may be permanently fastened to the container 2.

In some embodiment, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7, container 2 is fitted witha dispenser member 210 for example an aerosol valve or a pump.

Vibration source 21 may be secured to a protection member 110 thatcovers dispenser member 210 when not in use. By way of example, the tool25 may include a paintbrush-type brush carried by protection member 110and may optionally be covered by a protective cap 140.

Vibration source 21 may optionally be reused on a new container 2 once aprevious container has been emptied or otherwise fallen to disuse.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the applicator device 1 mayhave an applicator member 10 secured to a handle portion 12 arranged tobe screwed into the neck 14 of the container.

By way of example, applicator member 10 may be a compressible endpieceor foam capable of becoming loaded with the composition P contained incontainer 2 through a perforated wall 181.

Vibration source 21 may be situated on the side remote from neck 14 ofcontainer 2, e.g., comprising a casing 190 that may be fitted to thebody of container 2, e.g. by snap-fastening.

Casing 190 may carry a tool 25 such as, for example, a foam or a sheethaving abrasive properties.

The device of FIG. 8 may be used as follows, for example.

The user may begin with prior treatment using preparation tool 25 andmay then load composition P into applicator member 10, e.g. by shakingthe container 2 and the user may then proceed to apply the composition Pon the previously treated region.

The option of causing tool 25 to vibrate prior to applying thecomposition for treating the region that is to receive it may reinforcethe effectiveness of the composition by stimulating circulation of theblood, for example. The vibration may also serve to reinforce the actionof exfoliating the skin, for example.

In the example of FIG. 9, vibration source 21 may be fastened releasablyto container 2 or applicator 3 by means of a ring 260 that may beengaged on the handle member 12 and/or in a variant, on the body ofcontainer 2.

Vibration source 21 carries tool 25 and the finishing operation may beperformed while ring 260 is still in place on handle member 12, as shownin FIG. 9 and/or while it is fitted on a finger D of the user, as shownin FIG. 10.

Ring 260 may optionally enable vibration source 21 generator to turnrelative to tool 25, thereby enabling the direction of vibration to bemodified.

FIG. 11 shows the possibility of vibration source 21 being fastened tohandle member 12 of applicator device 1 by interfitting shapes, e.g., bysnap-fastening. In a variant, vibration source 21 may be fastened to thebody of container 2 by other interfitting shapes.

By way of example, tool 25 compled with vibration source 21 may be heldbetween two portions 301 and 302 thereof, as shown in FIG. 12. Theseportions 301 and 302 may be connected together by, for example, a filmhinge and being molded as a single part, for example, and once broughtone against the other constituting the casing of vibration source 21.Portions 301 and 302 may be held in the closed configuration by alocking member on which the user may act, e.g., for the purpose ofchanging tool 25 or replacing the battery(ies).

Vibration source 21 may be made available to the user in associationwith a plurality of tools for finishing, preparing, and/or massaging, asshown in FIG. 13.

In this example, vibration source 21 is made available within a kit 400together with a plurality of finishing tools, such as, for example, aninjection-molded brush, an injection-molded comb, and a twisted-corebrush.

By way of example, kit 400 includes a packaging device for containingcontainer 2, vibration source 21, and the finishing tools, the packagingdevice being constituted for example by a case, a box, a bag, or ablister pack.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Inparticular, the embodiment features of the examples shown may becombined in variants that are not shown. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that all such variations are intended to fall withinthe scope of the present invention.

The above written description of the invention provides a manner andprocess of making and using it such that any person skilled in this artis enabled to make and use the same, this enablement being provided inparticular for the subject matter of the appended claims, which make upa part of the original description and including a packaging andapplicator device comprising:

-   -   a container containing a composition for application;    -   an applicator, or in the absence of an applicator a composition        dispenser member;    -   a preparation, finishing, and/or massage tool secured to the        container or the applicator at least while the tool is not in        use, the device being arranged in such a manner that use of the        tool is dissociated with application of the composition with the        applicator; and    -   a vibration source configured to be secured to the tool while        the composition dispenser or applicator is in use.

As used herein, the phrases “selected from the group consisting of,”“chosen from,” and the like include mixtures of the specified materials.Terms such as “contain(s)” and the like as used herein are open termsmeaning ‘including at least’ unless otherwise specifically noted.Phrases such as “mention may be made,” etc. preface examples ofmaterials that can be used and do not limit the invention to thespecific materials, etc., listed.

The term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with“comprising at least one”.

All references, patents, applications, tests, standards, documents,publications, brochures, texts, articles, etc. mentioned herein areincorporated herein by reference. Where a numerical limit or range isstated, the endpoints are included. Also, all values and subrangeswithin a numerical limit or range are specifically included as ifexplicitly written out.

The above description is presented to enable a person skilled in the artto make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of aparticular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Thus, this invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. In thisregard, certain embodiments within the invention may not show everybenefit of the invention, considered broadly.

1. A packaging and applicator device comprising: a container containinga composition for application; an applicator, or in the absence of anapplicator a composition dispenser member; a preparation, finishing,and/or massage tool secured to the container or the applicator at leastwhile the tool is not in use, the device being arranged in such a mannerthat use of the tool is dissociated with application of the compositionwith the applicator; and a vibration source configured to be secured tothe tool while the composition dispenser or applicator is in use.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, the tool being a finishing tool.
 3. Adevice according to claim 1, the tool being a massage tool.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, the tool being a preparation tool.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 1, including an applicator, the vibration sourcebeing fastened releasably to the applicator.
 6. A device according toclaim 1, the vibration source being fastened releasably to thecontainer.
 7. A device according to claim 1, including an applicator,the vibration source being secured to the applicator and not beingseparable therefrom.
 8. A device according to claim 1, the vibrationsource being secured to the container and not being separable therefrom.9. A device according to claim 1, the vibration source generatingvibration at a frequency lying in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz.
 10. A deviceaccording to claim 1, the vibration source including a vibrationgenerator comprising a motor for driving an eccentric flyweight inrotation.
 11. A device according to the preceding claim, the motor beinga disk-shaped motor.
 12. A device according to claim 10, the motor beingmounted on a support of elastically-deformable material, in particularof elastomer.
 13. A device according to claim 1, the vibration sourceincluding an electricity source.
 14. A device according to claim 5, theapplicator including a handle member defining a housing for receivingthe vibration source.
 15. A device according to claim 1, the vibrationsource being incorporated in a container closure member.
 16. A deviceaccording to claim 2, the finishing tool being selected from: a brush ora comb for making up the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows.
 17. A deviceaccording to claim 2, the finishing tool being selected frompaintbrush-type brushes.
 18. A device according to claim 2, thefinishing tool being selected from flocked endpieces.
 19. A deviceaccording to claim 3, the tool being adapted to massage the scalp andincluding curved flexible fingers provided with enlarged heads at theirends.
 20. A device according to claim 2, the finishing tool beingarranged to be releasably fastened to the vibration source.
 21. A deviceaccording to claim 5, the vibration source including a ring forfastening it one of the container and the applicator.
 22. A deviceaccording to the preceding claim, the ring being arranged to be fastenedon a finger.
 23. A device according to claim 1, the vibration sourcebeing of variable orientation relative to the applicator.
 24. A deviceaccording to claim 1, the vibration source being secured to a protectionmember for the dispenser member.
 25. A device according to claim 1, thevibration being oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the tool.
 26. A device according to claim 1, the vibration beingoriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of thetool.
 27. A device according to claim 1, the vibration source comprisinga casing housing an electric motor, an electrical switch for switchingon the motor, and at least one optionally rechargeable battery.
 28. Adevice according to claim 27, the motor being connected to a 1.5 Vbattery and being suitable for rotating at a speed of rotation lying inthe range 5000 rpm to 12,000 rpm.
 29. A method of cosmetically treatingkeratinous material, the method comprising the steps: applyingcomposition by means of the applicator device as defined in claim 1; andbefore and/or after application, performing a preparation, finishing, ormassaging operation on the treated region with the help of the tool ofthe applicator device as defined in claim 1, the tool being subjected tovibration.